Tradition and Identity: a Study on Changes in Ritual Tradition to Honor the Deceased Spirits and It’s Influence on the Changes in Local Cultural Identity

Abstract

This research focus is cultural life, the ritual tradition to honor the deceased spirits held by the community. This ritual tradition is called tahlilan. This research explores to uncover the process to accept community tradition to honor the deceased spirits. This research was conducted by a qualitative approach. The research data shows that before the tahlilan tradition was accepted by all villagers, community developed different traditions to honor the deceased spirits, namely tahlilan and nyepaki. In fact, they also developed different local cultural identities. The research results indicate that differences in traditions and local cultural identities likely originated from differences in residents' residential locations. Members of wong njaba community are also called wong Loran (people who live in northern part of village). Meanwhile, members of wong njero (and wong mambu-mambu) are also called wong Kidulan (people who live in southern part of village). Almost all villagers hold tahlilan in its development as the only ritual tradition to honor the deceased spirits. In turn, although it has not disappeared completely, identity of wong njaba and its supporting tradition, namely nyepaki, no longer appears on surface as before.

Key words : tradition, tahlilan, nyepaki, local cultural identity

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/75-01

Publication date: January 30^th 2026